We support the approach to employment land.
In order to support sustainable employment and economic growth it is imperative to provide high quality housing in close proximity to strategic sites; to attract workers and investment to the area and promote sustainable modes of transport. Honingham Thorpe is well related to the Food Enterprise Park and would support its development, the emerging agri-tech corridor to the west of Norwich, and the move to a post-carbon economy.
Clarion believe that education and skill development is key to securing a pool of high skilled workers, supporting the Greater Norwich offering as a ‘clean growth region’. As such they operate an employment and training service which is free to all of their residents, and they work with a wide range of employers from the NHS to Primark. Clarion Futures has supported over 1,000 people into apprenticeships across 100 industries, providing pre-employment courses to develop confidence and skills together with a mentoring programme. They support over 65 community centres across the country which provide volunteering programmes and digital training. Clarion also take part in an innovative employment and business start-up scheme, and believe that supporting the needs of small, medium and start-up businesses is imperative in order to boost the local economy.
The proposed new settlement Honingham Thorpe would provide support for skills, education and life-long learning. It would generate a holistic approach to the agri-tech sector in combination with the Food Enterprise Park, Norwich Research Park and Easton College, creating a world-leading agri-tech corridor for the post-carbon economy. A range of flexible spaces would be provided within the village centre for small and start-up businesses, whilst provision would be made to support working from home. Employment should not be seen in isolation but in conjunction with a holistic approach to delivering growth, to allow people to live and work in the same area.